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He comes forward and grabs my arms, pulling me to him.
“But I never even thought that you would be ready for this. Thatyouwould be dragging the name of your late mother to get a favour from Asha Devi to save your father’s career. The mother whom you love and miss so much.”
Tears choke my throat as I relate all this from Ayaan’s point of view.
“You should have denied your father from approaching Asha Devi using your mother’s name, but you got blinded, Meher. You stripped off your morals in the race to get the majority to make him the next CM and elevate his political career.”
“Stop,” I plead. I don’t want to hear this.
But Ayaan doesn’t stop. He leaves my arms but cups my face instead.
“Politics has the power to corrupt the noblest of hearts, Meher. And now, it has corrupted you too. The pursuit of power often overshadows the greatest morals and values, and you, Meher Walia, have proved it.”
That’s it. I push him hard on his chest to make him leave me and run from his suite. I can’t take this anymore.
I reach my room and slam the door shut behind me, the sound resonating through the empty space. I collapse onto the bed, letting the tears stream down my face, a whirlwind of emotions consuming me from the inside.
Ayaan’s words echo in my mind, piercing through my heart and exposing the truth I tried so hard to ignore. I thought I was fighting for my father’s redemption, for a chance to restore his position in the political arena. But in doing so, I’ve compromised my integrity, tarnished the memory of my beloved mother and lost sight of who I truly am. But not anymore. Now it’s time to rise above the twisted game of politics to find my own voice amidst the chaos and redefine my purpose above and beyond the shadow of my father’s ambitions.
CHAPTER 11
MEHER
Three Days Later
I sit in the car, lost in my thoughts, as Vishnu drives. It has been three days since we returned from Panchgani, and Asha Devi has already informed Dad that she is ready to join the NEP party. However, she made it amply clear that she would be the one with the majority for the CM role, which invariably infuriated Dad. He is now scrambling to figure out how to resolve this situation.
But my mind is elsewhere, consumed by guilt and regret. I can’t shake off the feeling of using my late mother’s name to emotionally manipulate Asha Devi. Ayaan’s words echo in my ears, reminding me of how politics has corrupted my once noble heart.
‘Politics has the power to corrupt the noblest of hearts, Meher. And now, it has corrupted you too.’
“We are about to reach the destination.” Vishnu interrupts my thoughts.
I snap back to reality and glance at him, giving him an assuring smile. The dynamics between us have changed since I distanced myself from Ayaan. Otherwise, Vishnu and I being on the same side of the coin was an unlikely scenario.
“I never thought you and I would ever be on the same side. These days we are in perfect sync, don’t you think?” I comment.
Vishnu gives me a look, turning the car to the left.
“If you keep sticking to your Dad’s side, my trust and loyalty will always be yours. I only serve people who are loyal to your father, Meher.”
I let out a sigh, realising the depth of Vishnu’s loyalty. Soon, we arrive at the café in the outer city area of Mumbai.
“Are you sure he is here?” I ask.
“This is where I texted him to come,” Vishnu confirms.
With a nod, we both step out of the car.
I enter the café alone, anger burning inside me. As I spot him sitting at a table, engrossed in his mobile, my fury intensifies. I approach him with determination. He has no clue I’m here. He has no idea this is all a set-up to catch him.
Vishnu had spent the past three weeks diligently searching for this man on my command. Resorting to unconventional tactics, Vishnu had created a fake profile on a dating app, engaging him with explicit messages under the guise of a young woman in her early twenties, enticing him to meet at this very café. Falling victim to the ruse, this fool was deceived into secretly travelling from Amritsar to Mumbai, all under the pretence of pursuing an online romance with the woman he believed had summoned him here.
I reach his table, forcefully pull out the chair and sit in front of him. That’s when he sees me.
“Hello, Hacker,” I utter with a sharp tone.
He reels back from the shock of seeing me.
